Robert Niesse
1965
(Germany)
German
Robert Niesse is a contemporary German abstract artist based in Germany, renowned for his "Abstract Informal" paintings that explore the intersection of color, light, and space. Born in 1965, Niesse has developed a distinctive artistic voice informed by his deep understanding of color theory and composition, developed through his extensive professional experience in high-end fashion houses.
Education
Niesse studied Product Design at the University of Applied Science in Bielefeld (1985-1992), specializing in Fashion Illustration, Free Painting, and Photography. His education included studies under Professor Dörries Höher (portrait and free painting), Professor Günther (art history), Professor Dr. G. Jäger (photography), and Professor Edmondus Sugiarto (fashion design). He also studied nude drawing and abstract painting at Stacy Studios in New York City under Professor Don Stacy (1997-1999).
His diverse professional background includes positions as Head of Creative Department and Product Development for prestigious fashion houses including Cerruti 1881 in Paris (1999-2001), Marc Aurel in Gütersloh (1995-1997), and later as Art Director and Owner of collections Kemper, Girell, and Goldix (2006-2010).
Style and Inspiration
Niesse's work is deeply influenced by his "intuitive and sensitive understanding of color composition," developed through his extensive professional experience. His paintings explore themes of light, color, and space, creating what critics describe as "plurivalent playgrounds" that invite contemplation rather than analysis. His love for architecture is reflected in the modernist and abstract qualities of his work, underlined by his strong and striking signature marks.
His artistic philosophy emphasizes the sensory and emotional impact of color over intellectual interpretation. As noted in critical analysis of his work, "Not the intellect should analyze the picture, but intuition and feeling may impress the informative value and are designing this play of light and color."
Stylistically, Niesse's "Abstract Informal" paintings create luminous, atmospheric effects through the interplay of transparent and opaque passages combined with his signature gestural marks. His approach to building up and distressing paint layers bears particular resemblance to techniques employed by Gerhard Richter in his abstract works, where similar processes of layering and removal create ethereal, almost immaterial effects. This technique also demonstrates connections to the broader traditions of Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting.
Critics have noted parallels between Niesse's treatment of light and color composition and William Turner's late landscapes, particularly in how both artists create open artworks that emphasize color as the primary vehicle for emotional and sensory impact. This lineage connects Niesse's practice to the evolution of abstract painting from the mid-20th century through contemporary approaches to non-figurative art.
Technique
Working primarily in oil on canvas, Niesse's technique involves building up and removing layers of color through a complex process of applying and distressing multiple color sections. His paintings feature very fine, glossy layers of color alternating with powerful, striking signature marks that create what he describes as "brutal context and conclusion of color compositions." His systematic yet intuitive approach reflects his design background while embracing the spontaneous nature of abstract expression.
Exhibitions
Since becoming a full-time artist in 2010, Niesse has exhibited extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America. His solo exhibitions include presentations at prestigious venues such as the Landtag Schleswig-Holstein and Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, as well as international shows in Hong Kong, New York, Istanbul, and Berlin.
His group exhibitions demonstrate his standing within the contemporary art world, including the 40th anniversary exhibition at Galerie Radicke (2016) alongside established artists Georg Baselitz, A.R. Penck, Jörg Immendorf, and Per Kirkeby, as well as shows with Markus Lüpertz. He has also participated in significant art fairs including NordArt and various international contemporary art shows.
Collections
Niesse's works are held in prestigious public and private collections internationally, including the Landtag Schleswig Holstein, Staatskanzlei Schleswig Holstein, Museum Siegburg, Landesmuseum Bonn, and Stiftung Starke in Berlin. His international presence is evidenced by works in collections spanning from Canada to Hong Kong, including the Kelly Collection of Modern Art in Great Britain and various private collections across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Representation
IdeelArt has been promoting Niesse's distinctive abstract works since 2022.
